The partnership aims to integrate FleetVista, an in-vehicle hardware solution from New Boundary Technologies, and Digi ConnectPort X5, the fleet management software from Digi International (News - Alert), to give a complete fleet management solution to customers.

ConnectPort X5, according to Digi officials, is a robust, low-cost communications gateway with built-in Global Positioning System or “GPS” and cellular connectivity.

By integrating ConnectPort X5 with FleetVista offers fleet managers get several tracking and status options to improve vehicle utilization and efficiency using GPS vehicle tracking and route optimization.

Eventually, this will contribute in the reduction in vehicle operating costs by 15-25 percent, estimates from the companies said.

The complete fleet management solution offered by Digi International and New Boundary Technologies helps customers monitor their fleets and create more efficient vehicle routes, Larry Kraft, senior vice president of global sales and marketing for Digi International, said.

The companies also enhanced their fleet and inventory management by the addition of TankVista tank and sensor monitoring services to X5-equipped FleetVista vehicles, which provides an up-to-date view of vehicle movement and current location.

This combination allows fleet managers to optimize many different types of Vendor Managed Inventory system and helps them manage their deliveries and routes more efficiently than ever before, without worrying about a tank running dry, according to company officials.

According to Kim Pearson, chief executive officer for New Boundary Technologies, the integration of an X5-equipped FleetVista with TankVista is an exciting step that provides greater visibility and control throughout the supply chain.

“It can allow suppliers and fleet managers to service more customers and improve reliability of supply, which translates into higher profits and fewer logistical hassles,” Pearson added.

FleetVista also integrates with back-office systems to deliver data to existing processes, providing a straightforward view of load tracking end-to-end, according to company officials.

When combined with the route management tools, real-time tracking, and driver interaction, package-tracking systems and delivery services, FleetVista shows logistics managers where their loads are at any moment and when they're delivered.

FleetVista is available immediately as a low cost monthly service. It is sold directly through New Boundary Technologies and partnering resellers, the company said.

In another recent development Digi International announced Digi X-Grid solution that empowers Itron ERT customers with real-time energy usage data, TMCnet reported.

Rajani Baburajan is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Rajani's articles, please visit her columnist page.